Helping YOU Create Your Perfect Professional Practice

The Professional Practice Resource Directory

The Resource Directory serves a two-fold purpose. First it is your insurance that you know about all the resources for your clients in your area, or outside if needed. Second, it is your way of letting potential referral sources know about who you are, what you do, and where you are located. As you create your directory, you will meet and begin to dialogue with those who are working in the same arena/s you are. The networking you do as you create your Resource Directory will be a source of referrals and increasing knowledge about your area/s of expertise. The final product can range from a simple print-out of resources to a full color printed book. You can also put it on your website.

Getting Started

Begin by setting up a binder, card file or data base so you can organize your information and be able to respond to referrals or return calls with an informed response. When you set up your files you may want to organize them strictly alphabetically or by area of expertise. If you are using a database this means identifying fields to sort on, and if a binder or card file using dividers.

Next put your outreach or marketing information together so that when you talk to someone of interest you can use a "marketing script" and have materials to give them about your services and products. Remember to include who you are, what you do, why you do it, why they might be interested in what you do, and how they can begin to develop a relationship or purchase services and/or products from you.

Decide where to start by identifying the areas of expertise you are most interested in. If you come up with a blank then create a general directory.

Another approach is to partner with a person or group in your community to create the directory. I once partnered with a local service organization and found resources I never would have discovered on my own. I was also able to share the work involved.

Jumping In

Start where you are comfortable. If going out and meeting people is more than you can bear, then do a direct mailing piece. If you feel up to it, follow up your mailer with a telephone call if you do not get a reply, and if you do get a reply. The phone call to the person who replied is a thank you call and a check to see if they want any more information. The call to the non-responder is to check to see if they got your mailer and an inquiry to see if they will give you the information over the telephone. In your mailer you can make it easier for people to reply by inserting a self addressed envelope and if you want to spend the money you can put a stamp on it. The best possible connection is person to person. After you have done a mail piece and spoken to some folks on the telephone identify the person you felt the most comfortable with and ask them if you can come over and see their location. Better yet, go to lunch. If all this fails, once the directory is complete, you can stop by and drop off a copy.

Pulling It All Together

As your resource file grows you will want to keep in touch with these folks. You can send them a copy of your newsletter and notices of any new events. When you have a comprehensive directory you can also consider printing copies and sell them. If you decide to take this step be certain you contact the people in your directory and let them know your plans so they can be excluded if that is their desire. As your directory grows you might also consider selling advertisements to help cover your costs. The first directory I created was titled "People Helping People." I was, am still am, very proud of it. It was used throughout the community for many years.

The uses of your directory are endless. The most important part is getting started; then, take it one step at a time. Here is a suggested list of tasks:

1 – Clarify the specialty you are creating a Resource Directory for, i.e., Women, Children, Addicts etc.2 – Ask yourself what kinds of resources these people might need.3 – Use the yellow pages, online directories and community listings to start your list.4 – Start your database or file to collect responses and follow-up on non-responses.5 – Mail a piece that has a cover letter explaining your project along with a worksheet and addressed envelope.6 – Follow-up on non-responders and call and thank responders.7 – Put your directory together either online or in a printed form.8 – Distribute your directory strategically, i.e., potential referral sources and anyplace where it might help someone in need.9 – At the end of the year, send a copy as a gift to local professionals and again, any place where those in need could find it. Remember to leave several copies at your local library.

Congratulations!!!

The next 2 pages are sample Resource Directory worksheets. One is for professionals and the other for other resources. Modify them to fit your resource base.

Resource Directory Worksheet

Date New_____Revision_____

Contact Name:

Business:

Address:

City State Zip

Telephone/s

Hours of service:

Population/s served: Include languages spoken and special needs provided for. Are you wheelchair accessible?

Services/Products - Include specialties or special techniques you use and descriptions of products.

Credentials of professional providers: Include licensure, board certification or other credentialing or licensing of your profession.

Fees and Prices: Indicate if you use a sliding fee scale or other forms of payment options (credit cards, payment plans, barter etc.)

LifeDancing is the name of my classic yacht, a 41 foot Islander Freeport, which I use as my office. She, the boat, is named after my Personal Leadership program and upcoming 2nd Edition book LifeDancing - Managing Life's Movement. Here are a few shots of LifeDancing.